Ohio joins birth control mandate lawsuit

Several states are asking a federal judge to block the birth control mandate.

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:42:16 GMT —

Ohio is joining other states in asking a federal judge to block the Obama administration's rule requiring religious employers to cover birth control.

The lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska claims the new rule violates the first amendment rights of groups that object to the use of contraceptives. In response, the Obama administration officials have said they will shift the requirement from the employers to health insurers themselves.

Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas have also joined the lawsuit.